Will 'Rylie' be ready off layoff?

PORTLAND, Ore. - Hurricane Rylie, who was named horse of the meeting last season at Portland Meadows after posting four impressive stakes scores, will reemerge Sunday when she takes on seven rivals in the $7,500-added City of Roses Handicap at one mile.

Last season, Hurricane Rylie, a 3-year-old filly, won 4 of 5 starts at Portland Meadows, including three stakes. She then scored by 4 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Oregon Oaks on April 28 of this year. Trained by Jonathan Nance, Hurricane Rylie has not raced since winning the Oaks and she will be facing older rivals for the first time while trying to navigate a mile off the bench. Nance, however, feels he has done as much as he can to prepare her.

"Of course I wish I had a race in her, but she has had a string of long workouts and I think she is reasonably fit," said Nance. "Her only loss here last season came after a layoff, though, and that makes me nervous."

Should Hurricane Rylie falter, Primadonna Poppy and Gotta Motion appear ready to step into the starring role. Primadonna Poppy, the field's other 3-year-old, is coming off an impressive six-furlong win over older allowance males. Gotta Motion, a 6-year-old who posted six straight wins earlier this year, beat $8,000 company at 5 1/2 furlongs when last seen here on Nov. 24.

- Emerald Downs racing secretary Grant Holcomb reported that stall application forms for the 2002 season, which begins April 19, will be available at Emerald and at Portland Meadows on Monday.